The thing about england is something I've said a few times before. You only need 14 or 15 players you really rely on. Southgate clearly has built a team. Mings filled in until maguire was ready and hes never fancied trent. He doesn't like chilwell either. The only guys in and around are trippier and henderson. Hes dropped foden, again no trust and picks saka who will run all day. He picks mount cos he will press like hell. Southgate has his team and the 14 or 15 have bought into it totally hence a final. It's not the football I would want to watch but he has selected his way and got his men and that's it. He couldnt give a **** about next tournament or next year or what the other players think. If he loses he will get the treatment
Foden's competition is Mount, not Saka. imo Foden isn't a forward or winger, they tried to squeeze him in in the first game and it wasn't very good. He just isn't the right player to play in a front three, he is the type to play behind the forwards, ie where Mount is playing. Its then who do you want in the team Mount or Foden (add Grealish to that list as well, although Grealish can play further back if needed).
It should be but he did start him forward and wide first game. Mount is a monster presser. That's imo what gets him the role for southgate. Saka is in cos he is fast and strong and flexible so he defends as well as attacks. These are in the 14 or 15 imo. I dont think it was ever in doubt saka was going despite the press talk pre tournament. Southgate is right about tournament football but imo his total negativity takes the edge off. Both teams sunday play like a real team. Other semifinalists were also real teams. France swanned about imo. Compared to the world cup they were show boats.
Had a quick discussion with a mate of mine. He's a huge England supporters, does the flag thing on the house, the usualbollocks, he's absolutely ecstatic about the final coming up. I questioned him about the style of football, its been a fair slog how can you still be so up for it. His answer "I don't remember any of it, im always pissed by kick-off " On one hand I thought ****ing typical, on the other I thought well it's probably the best excuse for a national party, to just have a good time and enjoy yourself. Maybe it's the way forward with tournaments, treat the football as purely secondary to the party.
I was on non-alcoholic beer until half time in the 2019 CL final. I'd had that many rum Martinis in the following 45 minutes that I actually pissed myself when Origi scored. Nothing to be proud about, but true.
I don't like Southgate or his style of play but let's not start creating things to beat him with. He's used his squad well, he's swapped things around a lot more than any other nation and England are in the final.
You can't really fault the guy (unless you want to see some kind of uncontrolled ball chasing), he has changed players, formations and to a certain extent tactics to suit every game we have played. Even his subs have been the right players at the right time.
Hes used the exact same players to do so. I'm comparing him to prior england set ups where the latest player in fashion demanded by the media has to play irrespective of what it means in system or team work.
I know people who have absolutely no interest in football who are excited all of a sudden because England might win a tournament. All seems a bit plastic to me, but I suppose you're right - it is all just an excuse for a party.
My boss has never had any interest, suddenly she’s been watching every england game and talking to me about it. Feel like most people are fine as they’re getting behind the team and admit that they aren’t huge fans. It’s the people that have never mentioned football before in their life, suddenly now posting things on social media about England like they’re a huge fan and have traveled to every away game over the last 10 years.
There's another aspect to this. We're not used to winning anything so like when Murray won Wimbledon, it's such an unusual occurrence we have to make the most of it when it happens. It's a bit like what we were talking about regarding city, if you win all the time, it can stop being so much fun after a while. I guess that's why so many are going bonkers over England.
